The Uttar Pradesh police conducted a search operation at the Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district to locate 'Bhole Baba,' who was responsible for organizing the satsang in Hathras that led to a devastating stampede. The incident has claimed 121 lives and left several others injured.
Search for Bhole Baba
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar confirmed that Bhole Baba was not found on the campus. "We did not find Baba Ji inside the campus...He is not here," he stated. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing their search for Bhole Baba.
Victim Identification and Medical Updates
Aligarh DM Vishak G Iyer reported that 23 bodies have been brought to Aligarh, and three injured individuals are receiving treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. "Two are in stable condition, whereas one is in critical condition. We have talked to the hospital administration and the procedure to take the (critical) patient to the ICU is underway," Iyer said.
Hathras Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Manjeet Singh explained the ongoing efforts to identify the deceased. "A total of 116 people have died so far...32 bodies were brought here and 19 of them have been identified. We are identifying the rest of them," he mentioned.
List of persons in death toll at Hathras
Political and Public Reactions
Congress MP KL Sharma urged the government to ensure better safety at public events. "I want to appeal to the state government that if such events are organised, they should also take care of the preparation and ensure proper safety of the people. The compensation amount should have been more, keeping the condition of the family in mind," he said.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary offered his condolences and highlighted the state's commitment to reviewing the incident. "It is extremely unfortunate. The government is reviewing it. It is unfortunate that so many people lost their lives," Choudhary stated.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitness Shakuntala Devi recounted the chaos that ensued after the satsang. "There was a satsang of Bhole Baba going on. Right after the satsang finished, several people started coming out from there. A stampede took place as the road was uneven and people fell on each other," she described.
The search operations, medical updates, and political reactions underscore the ongoing efforts to address this tragic incident. Authorities are focused on providing relief to those affected and ensuring that such events are safer in the future.
Who is Bhole Baba and What Role Does He Play?
Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Saakar Hari or Suraj Pal, is a religious preacher who previously served with the Uttar Pradesh police for 18 years before transitioning into his spiritual role. He is known for organizing large religious gatherings, or satsangs, which attract thousands of followers.
In the recent Hathras incident, Bhole Baba organized the satsang that led to the tragic stampede. The event was held in a makeshift tent and was attended by a crowd far exceeding the venue's capacity. The stampede occurred as attendees were leaving the event, resulting in chaos and a significant loss of life.
Authorities are currently searching for Bhole Baba, who has not been found since the incident.
Steps Taken by Authorities
Local authorities have taken several steps in response to the Hathras stampede:
1. Search and Rescue Operations: Immediate efforts were made to rescue and provide medical assistance to the injured. Ambulances and medical teams were dispatched to the scene.
2. Victim Identification: Authorities are working to identify the deceased. As of now, 72 out of 116 bodies have been identified.
3. Financial Aid: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakhs for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
4. Investigation: A thorough investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the stampede and identify any lapses in crowd management. An FIR has been registered against the event organizers.
5. Safety Measures: The government has formed a probe panel to review the incident and recommend measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
6. Public Statements: Officials, including the Chief Minister, have expressed their condolences and assured the public that strict action will be taken against those responsible.
These steps highlight the authorities' commitment to addressing the tragedy and ensuring the safety of future events.
Post a Comment